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CPSC, Woods Industries Inc. Announce Recall of Voltage Testers

  • Recalled voltage tester
Name of Product:
Voltage testers
Hazard:

These testers could short circuit, causing possible shock, electrocution or burns.

Remedy:
Refund
Recall Date:
March 25, 1999
Units:

About 14,000

Consumer Contact

For information on returning recalled voltage testers, consumers should call Woods Industries toll-free at (877) 221-4627 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Woods Industries Inc., of Carmel, Ind., is recalling about 14,000 voltage testers. These testers could short circuit, causing possible shock, electrocution or burns.

Woods Industries is aware of five reports of the tester short circuiting, including one serious injury to an electrician working with high voltage. He reportedly suffered second and third degree burns to his chest, hands, neck and face.

These voltage testers are rated for 120 to 600 volts. "Woods®" and "Taiwan" are molded into the tester's case. The body of the test meter is black, and measures about 6.25 inches long by 2.4 inches wide and about 1.2 inches thick. The wire leads are red and black. The testers have model number 1307, which could be found on the packaging and in the user's manual.

Home centers and hardware stores nationwide sold these voltage testers between January 1985 and December 1988 for $10 to $15.

Consumers with these recalled voltage testers should stop using them immediately, and return them to Woods Industries for a $20 refund and the price of postage. For information on returning recalled voltage testers, consumers should call Woods Industries toll-free at (877) 221-4627 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.

These testers were manufactured by Test-Rite International Co., Ltd., of Bensenville, Ill., and distributed by a company Woods Industries later acquired. Woods Industries is taking the steps necessary to remove this product from circulation.

Remedy:

Consumers with these recalled voltage testers should stop using them immediately, and return them to Woods Industries for a $20 refund and the price of postage.

Incidents/Injuries:

Woods Industries is aware of five reports of the tester short circuiting, including one serious injury to an electrician working with high voltage. He reportedly suffered second and third degree burns to his chest, hands, neck and face.

Manufacturer(s):
Test-Rite International Co., Ltd., of Bensenville, Ill.
Recall number:
99-087

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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